Crimson Desert is now available, and the initial reactions are surprising many. Before release, there was a lot of excitement surrounding the game, leading some to believe it could be one of the year’s biggest hits. While Crimson Desert has launched successfully, reviews are proving to be much more varied than anticipated.
The mixed reactions to Crimson Desert even led to a nearly 30% drop in Pearl Abyss’ stock price. Beyond critics, players are also split on the game, with concerns ranging from the controls and story to the world design. Crimson Desert doesn’t shy away from its unique approach to core gameplay elements, making it a niche title. If you’re thinking of exploring the world of Pywel, it’s worth considering these points before purchasing.
If Deep, Gripping Stories and Complex Characters Are Your Thing, Skipping Crimson Desert is Probably the Best Decision
A big part of the excitement around this game came from its detailed world, which reminded many players of popular open-world titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and The Witcher 3. The world feels immersive, and that comparison is understandable. However, the game’s story isn’t as strong or well-developed as those other games.
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People are drawn to games for many different reasons, but story is often a top priority. Unfortunately, Crimson Desert doesn’t seem to deliver a compelling narrative. Its huge world can feel overwhelming and makes it easy to get sidetracked with minor quests, causing players to lose track of the main storyline and even forget what the protagonist, Kilff, was trying to achieve. Players hoping for a deep, complex character like Arthur Morgan from RDR2 or Geralt from The Witcher will likely find the characters in Crimson Desert, including Kliff, to be less engaging.
Crimson Desert’s Control System Has Been One of Players’ Biggest Complaints
If you’re hoping for a game that’s easy to pick up and play, Crimson Desert might not be for you. The controls aren’t just difficult – they’re unusual and can be frustrating, even for players who enjoy the game overall. This awkward control scheme can actually break your immersion and make it harder to get lost in the game’s detailed world.
Crimson Desert has some unusual controls that are causing frustration for players. For example, when using a DualSense controller, simply talking to a character requires a specific sequence: pressing LB, aiming at the character, and then pressing X. It feels awkward and cumbersome. Another issue is that the game uses the same button for both jumping and interacting with objects. This often leads to the character jumping over something instead of interacting with it, which can be annoying.
Players Who Are Not Willing to Slow Down Must Beware
While Crimson Desert features exciting, quick combat, much of the game encourages a more deliberate approach. Players don’t get access to their dragon mount until after roughly 50 hours of gameplay, and even then, using the dragon isn’t unlimited – there’s a one-hour cooldown after each flight. This means that, despite its large open world, Crimson Desert doesn’t offer the constant, unrestricted feeling of power that some players might expect.
Crimson Desert is for Gamers Who Love Extensive Exploration That Encourages Them to Get Lost for a Wild Amount of Hours
Crimson Desert is designed for players who love exploring open worlds and completing side quests, like those who enjoyed getting lost in Red Dead Redemption 2 or The Witcher 3. While some players prefer a strong narrative focus, Crimson Desert is aimed at those who find joy in the details and activities within the world – things like fishing, hunting, or just experiencing the environment. It’s a game where the fun is in the journey itself, not necessarily reaching a specific goal. This means it might not appeal to players who prioritize a compelling story, but that doesn’t make it a bad game—it simply caters to a particular type of gamer.
Crimson Desert doesn’t hold back when it comes to its key elements – whether that’s how it’s played, the narrative it tells, or the game world it creates. It confidently delivers on its vision.
Pearl Abyss has created a remarkably detailed open world in their game, and players who enjoy getting lost in side quests will likely love it. While it’s an action-adventure game, Crimson Desert has a surprisingly relaxing pace that might also appeal to fans of cozy life simulation games. It features more fighting than games like Stardew Valley, but the ability to build and farm adds a comforting element. Beyond exploration and combat, the game also includes challenging puzzles that will appeal to players who enjoy complex problem-solving.
On Steam alone, Crimson Desert had a peak of 239,045 players at launch.
Crimson Desert Can Still Be a Solid Success, Despite the Divisive Launch
While Crimson Desert might not be a blockbuster hit with everyone, it’s found its fans and that’s perfectly fine. The game excels at bringing the world of Pywel to life, which was a major focus of its marketing. Though the main storyline isn’t particularly strong, the sheer amount of content and exploration available is incredibly impressive. It will be interesting to see how players’ opinions of Crimson Desert evolve as they continue to play it throughout the year.
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2026-03-23 00:42